My Fiancee and I have stayed at Hotel Del Rio 3 times and we have no reason to stay anywhere else....
If you want a clean room and shower and you want to go explore everthing that AC has and take tours and go snorkelling etc then Hotel Del Rio is the perfect Place. Thomas and Roberto are both super nice and can help you set up anything as far as tours etc. Right across the street is another Roberto who does Snorkeling, Fishing etc. ( no diving that I know of ) behind the Hotel is La Popular Bakery ( a great place to go in the a.m. to get some great baked goods to start off the day ) There is also a Convenience store called Dalia's and they have everything that you could need. Papi's Diner is just a block and a half walk away and has great prices and great food. You are only about 2 blocks away from the split/hand ferry and it takes about 7 minutes or so walking on the beach and then you are in the center of the town.
If you want a pool, and people to give you massages and extra pampering that you would expect with an inclusive resort DON'T do Hotel Del Rio. If you want clean, friendly, reasonably priced accomodations GO THERE!!!
My fiance and I don't need frills, we just need a place to rest our heads at night and a place to shower in the a.m.
Have fun!!!!
Mark